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The Pulse

Neil Dorsey

by Keltcie D. on Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Neil Dorsey, North Carolina

Why am I an advocate? What got me started down this path?

I have always felt the need to speak up about issues that impact on our lives. I once heard at a meeting that we advocate for those folks who cannot speak or do not have a voice in decisions being made about their lives. This hits it on the head, the reason I advocate.

When I see community members who are uneducated or misinformed about the health of our community I see red. I want to be part of educating our community to make it a healthier place to live. To be able to present a logical, well thought out position to counter the lack of knowledge, or the distorted view presented is a great feeling. It fuels my passion for advocacy.

Over the years I have developed a better understanding of advocacy and its importance in the lives of our community. I cannot sit by and not challenge the falsehoods presented to the public by folks with no real interest in the health of our community. The facts are there, and we must make the public understand that a sick community is bad for everyone.

As an advocate we must stand up to the big dollars of business and those who influence our elected leaders. We elect everyone, and when we advocate, we educate the leadership by our voices and vote. Advocacy at the grassroots level is where the action is, and boy do I enjoy the game at this level, even when the odds are against us. The only way we can win is by being passionate in playing the game. Advocacy is the way to play and I play to win!